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CONSERVATION OF IVORY(triptychs)
CONDITION:
The ivories were found to be in waterlogged condition and appears to be very fragile. Some portions were covered with concretions while others have concretions penetrating deeply into the minute pores and cracks. There were two kinds of concretions found, carbonates and silicates in nature. Other ivories had parts missing.
TREATMENT:
To date, two ivory triptychs, one of Saint Geronimo and one of the Madonna have undergone complete conservation treatment with satifactory results. The objects were immersed in water for storage and preliminary desalination process. During the process of treatment the principle applied on the objects, were of the least intervention. Summary of treatment are as follows:
|
DATE |
ACTIVITIES
UNDERTAKEN |
REMARKS |
|
Sept. 7, 2000 |
Initial cleaning was done by
immersing the objects into a 3% Acetic Acid in water to remove the
concretions for an hour. Then soaked in water afterwards. |
Condition of the objects appear to
be very stable during the treatment |
|
Sept. 7, 2000 |
The objects were then immersed in the
solution of 3% Acetic Acid in water for an hour. Then back to water |
Condition of the objects were stable
and no sign of any damage by the acid. |
|
Sept. 11, 2000 |
The objects remain in water for two
days to wash off the acid. Then continued the treatment with the acid. Back
to water. |
Condition of the objects were stable. |
|
Sept. 12, 2000 |
Final cleaning was done with 3%
Acetic Acid. Concretions composed of silicates left on the objects, remained attached to the objects since they
are not soluble to the acid . This kind of concretion can only
be removed by mechanical means.
Some concretions composed of
carbonates deeply embedded into the
objects were not thoroughly remove. Further cleaning will only damage the
objects. After cleaning the objects were then immersed back into water
using bottled mineral water. From then onwards at least every two weeks water
was changed until the end of the season. |
Condition of the objects remained stable except to few small parts
that were jointly attached by concretions fell off after the cleaning. But
still no damage had been done during the cleaning. |
|
June 26, 2001 |
Water was changed, prior to the
process salt test was performed which yielded a low salt content. |
Objects are stable |
|
June 27, 2001 |
Water was changed, this time water
came from the air conditioning unit. Comparative study reveals that water
from the unit has very low and tolerable salt content compared to bottled
mineral water and tap water. Ph is 7 |
Objects stable. |
|
June 28,2001 |
Salt test performed yielded negative result . The objects were
prepared for the dewatering process . This was done by mixing water with
alcohol until a 100% alcohol was achieved. Initial soaking was ; 5 % alcohol
in water. |
Object stable . No cracking or other
physical structural and cellular
damage occurred. |
|
June 29, 2001 |
Change solution to 10 % Methanol in
water |
Object stable |
|
June 30, 2001 |
Change solution to 25% Methanol in
water |
Object stable |
|
July 1, 2001 |
Change solution to 58% Methanol in
water |
Object stable |
|
July 2, 2001 |
Change solution to 70% Methanol in
water |
Object stable |
|
July 3, 2001 |
Change to 100% Methanol |
Object stable |
|
October 22, 2001 |
The objects were immersed in 3% PVA
in Methanol. |
Object stable after the dewatering
process |
|
October 31, 2001 |
Add 3% PVA in methanol |
Objects stable |
|
Sept. 10, 2002 |
Add 3% PVA in Methanol |
Objects stable |
|
June 17, 2003 |
Add Methanol |
Objects stable |
|
Sept. 9, 2003 |
Solution dried out. Add methanol
to dissolve dried resin. |
Object stable had shown signs of good
results except that it has stuck at the bottom of the container together
with the resin |
|
Sept. 23 2003 |
Effort to take out the objects for
drying was initiated by adding more Methanol to dissolve the resin . Careful
planning on the dissolution of the resin and taking out of the objects were
done. Keen observations and study for environmental considerations was done to
be able to adjust to the new environment . |
The objects were stuck at the bottom
of each container. |
|
Dec. 11, 2003 |
Controlled drying on the two sides of
the Virgin Mary was done. Others remain in the solution |
Objects were stable and no evidence
of cracking. |
|
Dec. 12, 2003 |
Added Methanol to the solutions . |
Both objects undergoing the process
of controlled drying and those still immersed in the
solution are stable. |
|
January 6, 2004 |
Add methanol to the solution where
the Virgin Mary was immersed. |
Still stable |
|
January 7, 2004 |
Applied coating using 2% PVA in
Methanol on the dried two sides of the Virgin Mary |
Still stable |
|
January 8, 2004 |
Observed the remaining triptychs
immersed in the solution. |
Still stable |
|
January 9, 2004 |
Check objects immersed in the solution as well as those under drying process |
Good condition |
|
January 10, 2004 |
Reduce amount of resin settled at the
bottom of the glass container. Virgin Mary out of the solution, proceed with
the controlled drying process. |
Both are in stable condition. |
|
January 11, 2004 |
St. Jerome , together with the two
sides were taken out of the solution |
All objects are in good condition |
|
January 12, 2004 |
Observed status of the condition of
all of the objects conserved |
No sign of damage. |
The remainder of the ivory artifacts are still in various stages of desalination and or awaiting evaluation of other methods of conservation treatment.
Prepared by:
MAURO T. ALVAREZ
Archaeological Conservator
Since 24 Mar 2004